Kite assembly

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to kite assemblies and constructions which employ high-strength structural members. The kite assembly consists of a vertical or longitudinally extending frame member which at one end is pivotally connected to transverse or side frame members. A kite cover is attached to each of the frame members along its length. The shape of the kite is that of a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;T&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; with the transverse frame members forming the upper edges of the kite. The T-shape enhances the kite&#39;&#39;s maneuverability and increases its ruggedness. The pivotal connection of the transverse members to the vertical member permits the collapsing of the assembly so that the transverse members can be brought into substantial parallel alignment with the longitudinal member and the assembly rolled into a tube configuration. The bridle lines are also attached to the assembly. Thus, the kite is an integral snap open or shut unit with no assembly required.

United States Patent [1 1 Kinsey 1 July 31, 1973 KITE ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Ernest V. Kinsey, 9H0 Larston, [57] ABSTRACT Houston, Tex. 77055 This disclosure relates to kite assemblies and constructions which employ high-strength structural members. [22] 1971 The kite assembly consists of a vertical or longitudi- [21] Appl. No.: 168,911 nally extending frame member which at one end is pivotally connected to transverse or side frame members. A kite cover is attached to each of the frame members :ll Ritz/1351701: along its length. The shape of the kite is that of a T with the transverse frame members forming the upper [58] Field of Search 244/153 R, 154, 155 R edges of the The 1 m enhances the kites ma- [56] Rderences cited neuverability and increases its ruggedness. The pivotal connection of the transverse members to the vertical UNITED STATES PATENTS member permits the collapsing of the assembly so that 1,690,362 ll/l928 I DeWitt...; 244/ 153 R the transverse members can be brought into substantial g il grt r a! 3/ parallel alignment with the longitudinal member and e e the assembly rolled into a tube configuration. The bri- 3,3l5,922 4/1967 Hull 244/53 R dle lines are also attached to th? assembly. Thus the Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant ExaminerPaul E. Sauberer Attorney-Donald H. Fidler et al.

kite is an integral snap open or shut unit with no assembly required.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED L I I973 3. 749 338 SHEET 1 OF 2 1 KITE ASSEMBLY This invention relates to kite assemblies and, more particularly, to kites designed for aerial maneuverability under control from the ground by direction of a ground controller. The kite assembly is constructed and arranged to have great maneuverability as well as provide a durable assembly under flying conditions which can also withstand the shock of ground impact. The assembly is an integral unit which can be easily readied for flying or collapsed for storage.

Kite constructions have heretofore been proposed for obtaining maneuverability, and typically require specialized constructions for obtaining lift and aerial maneuverability and use separate independent panels. The constructions are complex, difficult to assemble and handle, and are fragile or easily damaged. In the conventional type of kite construction, the crossmembers are constructed of light-weight wood and dependent upon strings for tying members. Almost all kite constructions heretofore are subject to damage when flown into the ground. In addition, aerial maneuverability has not been a primary objective of prior art kites.

In theprior art known to applicant, US. Pat. No. 2,733,880 is intended to disclose a simple one-piece collapsible kite which is rugged. In this patent, a onepiece plastic or rubber material is cut to the shape of the kite. The peripheral edges are rolled into a tube and heat-sealed. To fly the kite, the tube is inflated and tied off. A single control line is used for operation.

None of these prior art constructions has incorporated therein any practical structural features to prevent or minimize damage in use. Where simplicity in construction is obtained, maneuverability in flight is typically lost. It can be generalized that most kites fall into one of two categories: that is, either an elemental, low-cost, relatively non-maneuverable and fragile kite, or specialized, fragile, complex construction which is relatively expensive and sometimes difficult to manipulate in the air.

In a prior copending application, Ser. No. 124,046, a kite construction is disclosed for a maneuverable and essentially non-destructable kite which uses crossmembers constructed of plastic material designed to maximize strength and minimize weight. Shockabsorbing means are provided for withstanding impact of the kite into the ground. One of the features of the kite design therein disclosed is its aerial maneuverability which is controllable through use of dual control lines. appropriately coupled by bridle lines at preselected optimum locations along the frame members of the kite assembly. The present invention involvesa kite assembly with even greater aerial maneuverability than the kite disclosed in the aforesaid application. It also has less complexity of construction and is completely preconstructed for operation without requiring any detailed assembly. It is compact and versatile in its collapsed position for easy transport.

The present invention involves a kite construction which is more or less integral in construction involving pivoted frame members which are readily movable between collapsed and extended positions and wherein the overall interrelation of the various compaonents of the kite assembly all contribute to the overall strength of the kite both under flying conditions and resistance to ground impact. This kite assembly has all of the advantages of the kite assembly disclosed in the prior patent application and has the additional advantages of low cost and even greater simplicity of construction. One of the advantages of this construction is that it is easily flown and aerially manipulated to engage in aerial contests demonstrating skill of ground controllers without damage to the kite in the air.

The present invention involves a number of concepts which are correlated to provide a superior kit assembly. A significant feature of the present invention is the provision of pivotally coupled transverse frame members to a vertical or longitudinally extending frame member so that the kite assembly may be moved between an extended kite-flying position and a collapsed retracted position where the kite cover can be conveniently rolled in a tube around the frame members. In this construction, a part of the uniqueness lies in the fact that there is no upper panel of kite cover above the transverse support members. in other words, all of the kite cover is subjected to a lifting factor. By integrating the kite cover with the frame members, an integral assembly is created whereby each part of the assembly contributes to the support of the other so that concentrations of stresses and strains are eliminated and, conversely, stresses are more evenly distributed and absorbed. The fact that the transverse frame members can be folded into parallel alignment with the horizontal member and have the kite cover wrapped into a tube enhances the simplicity of the kite. No assembly is required, and, once taken in the tube form, it can be easily unwrapped and snapped into full flying condition where all that is required is to couple it to control lines for operation.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide new and improved kit assemblies for aerial maneuvering which are simple in construction and extremely durable.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended-claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by way of the following description of exemplary apparatus and methods employing the principles of the invention as illustrated in accompanying drawings in which: v

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a kite assembly in perspective in an operative position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a kite constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the kite illustrated in FIG. l taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the position of the frame members in a collapsed position. I

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the pivotal interconnection of the frame members and the system for interlocking the transverse frame members in an extended position.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified form for interlocking and is an enlarged front view of the interconnection of transverse frame members with a vertical frame member and the system for retaining the transverse members in an extended position.

FIG. 9 is a view taken along line 9-9of FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a kite assembly 20 is shown in a typical flying condition. The kite assembly includes a kite cover 21 which is attached to the forward face of a T-shaped frame means 22. The attachment may be by gluing, thermal welding in the case of plastic components, or eyelet and nib attachments. The kite cover may be considered as transparent so that the frame means can be seen. As illustrated in the drawing, the T-frame 22 defines an uppermost edge 23 of the kite cover. The kite cover 21 is substantially triangular in form, having side edges 24, 25 extending from the ends of the transverse frame member to the lowermost apex 26 of the vertical portion of frame 22. Bridle lines 27, 28 are independently coupled to a common point 29 along the vertical portion of frame 22 and to points 30, 31 spaced along the transverse portion of frame 22. Points 30, 31 lie along a line extending generally parallel to the vertical portion of frame 22 and through the center of pressure for the respective side panels of the kite cover. The connecting points 32, 33 of the bridle lines for the control lines 34, 35 are generally located above the center of gravity for the kite assembly so as to give it the requisite lifting capabilities for flying.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame means 22 includes a vertical member 36 and horizontal or transverse members 37, 38. The transverse frame members have a general l-beam construction which tapers from a relatively wide web width from the location where the members join to a narrow web width at the respective apex ends of the members. At the location where the members are joined, each member has a flat tab portion 39, 40 which overlaps the tab portion of the other member as well as a flat tab portion 42 on the vertical frame member 36. The vertical frame member 36 is also constructed in I-beam form which tapers slightly outward from the tab end 42 to a midpoint and then tapers inwardly toward apex end 26. The net effect of the varying tapers is to provide a maximum strength distribution for the l-beam construction and yet minimize the total weight. The tab portion 42 on the vertical frame member is inclined at an angle rearwardly of the forward face of the vertical member (see FIG. 7). The tab portions 39, 40.0n the transverse frame members have a similarly arranged angle (shown more clearly in FIG. so that the transverse members 37, 38, when in their fully extended position, define a dihedral angle less than 180 on the rearward side of the frame (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Inaddition to the angle between the transverse members, a transverse member is inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal or vertical member of somewhat less than 90. The transverse members may be disposed at any desired angle relative to the horizontal member which is suitable for flying.

The bridle lines 27, 28 essentially consist of a strip of plastic which is split lengthwise to form two strips and a center tab. At each end of the strip a hook is formed by notching the strip of plastic to form an arrowhead. The center tabs 41, 42 are provided with an opening for attachment to acontrol line. Openings are provided in the kite cover over the locations 29, 30, 31 so that an arrowhead can be inserted through a hole in the kite cover and through openings in the frame members. One or more openings may be provided along the length of the frame members to provide for relative adjustment of the length and location of the bridle members.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the transverse frame members 37, 38 are illustrated in a collapsed position where the transverse members are disposed in substantial parallel alignment with the horizontal vertical member 36. The kite cover which is attached to the transverse frame members folds inwardly and is disposed on either side of the vertical member so that it may be easily wrapped in the form of a tube about the collapsed transverse and vertical members for easy transportation and storage.

Referring now to H05. 6 and 7, which illustrate an enlarged view of the connection for the transverse members, the tab portion 40 on the transverse member 38 has a generally uniform width to its terminal end 47 and an upwardly facing end surface 48 which abuts a downwardly facing surface 49 on tab portion 39. The tab portion 40, at its connection to the main portion of the transverse member 38 has a projection 50 which extends in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing toward the viewer. The projection 50 is a ramp or sloping surface terminating with a downwardly facing surface 51. Intermediate of the length of the tab portion 40 is the pivot location 52 which involves a pivot pin coupling the tab portions 37, 38 and 42 to one another. The downwardly facing surface 51 and the upwardly facing surface 48 on the tab portion 40 are generally equidistant and similarly disposed relative to the pivot 52.

The tab portion 39 is arranged similar to tab portion 40 and has a terminalupwardly facing surface 53 and a downwardly facing surface 49 formed by a sloping surface 54, the sloping surface, however, extending in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing away from the viewer. Thus, when tab portions 37 and 38 overlap one another, the combined width of the tab 39 and the sloped projection 54 is generally equal to the combined width of the tab portion 40 and sloped projection 50. In the arrangement illustrated, the tab portion 42 of the vertical member is disposed behind the tab portions of the transverse member.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the transverse members are in an extended position. To collapse the members, hand pressure is applied to the terminal portions of the tabs to push surface 51 out of engagement with surface 53 and surface 49 out of engagement with surface 48. When this is accomplished, the transverse members may be pivoted toward the vertical member and the collapsed position. To place. the members in the extended position, all that is necessary is that the transverse members be pivoted to the extended position, and, during this movement the terminal portion of the tab portions of the transverse members will flex outwardly by virtue of the sloped portions until passed over the downwardly facing surfaces 49 and 51. At this point, the members are in a locked extended position.

As shown in FIG. 8, transverse members 37a and 38a are similarly provided with overlapping tab portions 39a, 40a, and a tab portion 42a from a vertical member and a pivotable connection at 52a. To retain the transverse members in extended position, eyelets 55, 56 are provided in the transverse bar members 38a and 37a to either side of the pivot portion 52a, and a rigid wire member 57 is connected to the eyelets. Wire member 57 has its ends loosely interlocked with the eyelets on the transverse members and a midportion 58 which is formed into converging apices 59, 60 which are defined between the main length of the wire and a portion bent to form a U" and a crossbar 61. The wire member 57 has a resilient locking action in that it engages projections 62 locatcd along the rib of the vertical section 36a. The apices 59, 60 of the wire members may be disengaged from the stops 62 so that the wire member may be moved downwardly, permitting the transverse members to collapse to a position in general alignment with the vertical frame member. During such motion, of course, the wires will bendto conform to the overall streamlined configuration of a collapsed position which will permit the kite to be rolled into a tubelike assembly.

The frame members preferably, as mentioned before, have an l-beam cross-section and are constructed from an engineering plastic material. An engineering plastic material as defined is one which has a high tensile strength, a high tensile modulus and a high impact strength. Examples of such materials are polycarbonate, which is manufactured under the trade name Lexan by General Electric, or ABS (acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene) which is sold under the trade name Cycolac by Uniroyal, polyphenolene oxide which is sold under the trade name Noryl by General Electric, or acetal, which is sold under the trademark Delran by DuPont. If desired, any of these plastics can be I glass-filled to increase rigidity, but will produce a product having a reduced impact strength.

As noted heretofore, the location of the bridles along the transverse frame member intersects the general center of pressure lines for each side of the kite cover, so that the forces on the kite cover are balanced with respect to the counteracting force of the attachment to the eyelet, and this in turn makes the force in tension and compression on the interconnecting lock effec-' tively zero.

The bridle lines are constructed from plastic a polyester sold under the trade name Mylar" by Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing or 6/6 nylon sold by DuPont. As noted previously, the bridle lines are formed from a strip of plastic which is suitably slitted to form two lines joined at intermediate tab portions withv openings for receiving the kite control strings.

Rather than welding or gluing the kite cover to the frame members, whichis preferable, it is possible to use pins on the frame members which are inserted through openings in the kite cover as more or less of a snap-on connection. It will, however, be appreciatedthatsuch' anarrangement does not provide the solidity that one might desire.

I The kite coveris formed from a plastic film, preferasuch as eliminated and, thus, ifthe kite is flown into the ground and it can be under the construction of the present invention damage is almost non-existent. In addition, when flying the kite in the air, the smooth surfaces of the transverse frame members will ease the sliding of the other kite lines off of one another and prevent hangups in the sky when more than one kite is being flown, as in combat or formation maneuvers. I While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects; and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: l. A kite assembly comprising a longitudinal frame member, transverse frame members, means pivotally coupling said transverse members to a location at one end of said longitudinal frame member so that said transverse members are movable between collapsed and extended positions, means for releasably retaining said transverse members in an extended position including abutting portions located on said transverse members, said abutting portions having lateral resiliency and respectively having shoulders arranged for engagement for preventing collapse and for lateral movement for permitting disengagement, and kite cover means attached to said frame members. 2. The kite as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame members are constructed from an engineering plastic material.

3., The kite as defined inclaim 2 wherein said frame members have an l-beam cross-section.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said abutting portions are defined byan upwardly facing surface on one bly a biaxially oriented film or laminated film of nylon of the kite and permits it to be constructed in a signifi- Y cantly rugged construction. It is also of some importance that the overall length of transverse frame members be slightly shorter than the length of the vertical frame member. Also, the connecting point for the bridle tabs on the transverse members should be above the center of gravity. In the unitary construction of the kite assembly, each component supports the other along the length of each of the frame members. By having the transverse frame members at the very top edges of the kite cover, the most vulnerable panel for damage is of said portions and a downwardly facing abutment portion on the other of said abutting portions.

5. A kite assembly comprising a longitudinal frame member, transverse frame members, means pivotally coupling said transverse frame members to said longitudinal frame member so that said transverse members are movable between collapsed and extended positions, each of said transverse frame members having an end portion disposed at an angle with respect to its main portions, and said longitudinal frame member having an end portion disposed at an angle with respectto its main portion, said pivotal coupling being disposed along anaxis extending perpendicularly to said end portions, said angles-being arranged so that in a collapsed position said transverse members are generally aligned parallel to said longitudinal member, and in an extended position said transverse members are at an angle relative to a plane extending through said longitudinal frame member, means for releasably retaining said transverse members in an extended position, and kite cover means attachable to said frame members. 6. The kite asdefined in claim 5 wherein said releasable retaining means includes overlapping abutting portions locatedonsaid end portions on said transverse frame members, said abutting portions having lateral resiliency, and respectively, having shoulders arranged for engagement for preventing collapse and for lateral movement for permitting disengagement.

7. The kite as defined in claim wherein said releasahle retaining means includes a wire member having a central portion for releasably latching to said longitudinal frame member and end portions for releasably engaging with said transverse frame members.

members each having end attachment portions inclined at a second angle with respect to the axis through the length of each transverse frame member, said end attachment portions being pivotally coupled to said upper attachment portion, said first and second angles being complementary to define to one side of said longitudinal frame member a dihedral angle of less than between the transverse frame members when they are in a fully extended position and to permit the axes for the transverse frame members to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when the transverse members are in a collapsed position, and

kite cover means attached to said frame members.

i 8 l I k 

1. A kite assembly comprising a longitudinal frame member, transverse frame members, means pivotally coupling said tranSverse members to a location at one end of said longitudinal frame member so that said transverse members are movable between collapsed and extended positions, means for releasably retaining said transverse members in an extended position including abutting portions located on said transverse members, said abutting portions having lateral resiliency and respectively having shoulders arranged for engagement for preventing collapse and for lateral movement for permitting disengagement, and kite cover means attached to said frame members.
 2. The kite as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame members are constructed from an engineering plastic material.
 3. The kite as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame members have an I-beam cross-section.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said abutting portions are defined by an upwardly facing surface on one of said portions and a downwardly facing abutment portion on the other of said abutting portions.
 5. A kite assembly comprising a longitudinal frame member, transverse frame members, means pivotally coupling said transverse frame members to said longitudinal frame member so that said transverse members are movable between collapsed and extended positions, each of said transverse frame members having an end portion disposed at an angle with respect to its main portions, and said longitudinal frame member having an end portion disposed at an angle with respect to its main portion, said pivotal coupling being disposed along an axis extending perpendicularly to said end portions, said angles being arranged so that in a collapsed position said transverse members are generally aligned parallel to said longitudinal member, and in an extended position said transverse members are at an angle relative to a plane extending through said longitudinal frame member, means for releasably retaining said transverse members in an extended position, and kite cover means attachable to said frame members.
 6. The kite as defined in claim 5 wherein said releasable retaining means includes overlapping abutting portions located on said end portions on said transverse frame members, said abutting portions having lateral resiliency, and respectively, having shoulders arranged for engagement for preventing collapse and for lateral movement for permitting disengagement.
 7. The kite as defined in claim 5 wherein said releasable retaining means includes a wire member having a central portion for releasably latching to said longitudinal frame member and end portions for releasably engaging with said transverse frame members.
 8. A kite assembly comprising a longitudinal frame member extended along a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal frame member having at one end thereof an upper attachment portion inclined at a first angle with respect to said longitudinal axis, said upper attachment portion having a flat surface, transverse frame members respectively extended along an axis through the length of each transverse frame member, said transverse frame members each having end attachment portions inclined at a second angle with respect to the axis through the length of each transverse frame member, said end attachment portions being pivotally coupled to said upper attachment portion, said first and second angles being complementary to define to one side of said longitudinal frame member a dihedral angle of less than 180* between the transverse frame members when they are in a fully extended position and to permit the axes for the transverse frame members to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when the transverse members are in a collapsed position, and kite cover means attached to said frame members. 